L.A. Beer Float Showdown Redux: Hops + Ice Cream

Okay, we realize that you can watch countless numbers of people chugging beer at any USC tailgating party, and probably countless numbers of other people downing ice cream or gelato in alarming quantities if you just hang out at Scoops or Bulgarini Gelato or Pazzo or, well, wherever. But the combination of the two is a sport unto itself, kind of like one of those ridiculous hot dog eating contests, or putting up with Gordon Ramsay for any length of time, either on television or in real life.

But what makes the L.A. Beer Float Showdown, now in its second year, even more of an anomaly than the charming combination of beer and ice cream is that you can watch people chug alcoholic milkshakes while feeling good about yourself.

This is because 50% of proceeds of this year's Showdown, to be held at Verdugo Bar on October 10th, will benefit Share Our Strength, a non-profit organization that works to end childhood hunger. Cheers.

This year's contest, which is part of L.A.'s Beer Week and is sponsored by local food blog Food GPS, will showcase four different bars -- last year's event had a paltry two -- as Boneyard Bistro, Ladyface Alehouse, Simmzy's and Tony's Darts Away will all step up to the bar, or vat of ice cream I guess. Each team will make a single beer float which the audience will taste and vote upon.

And if drinking your dinner and dessert at the same time proves to much for you, food trucks The Manila Machine and Mandoline Grill will be there to help. Again, cheers. Good luck. Man up. Whatever.

Beer Float Showdown: At Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles; (323) 257-3408. Sunday, October 10, at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $30 at the door or you can also hit up PayPal, which will save you $5.